I'm having a hoot and a half working on the third Snowy book. Here's a little snippet from today's writing session:

Gladstone pressed a button on the remote control. A bright red dot appeared on the carpet. Moving slowly, it zig-zagged across the floor. Snowy watched, transfixed, his head turning to follow each change of direction. The dot picked up speed as it drew closer. Just a light, you can’t touch it. Just a light, you can’t touch it. The dot came within reach of his front paws, but drew no closer. It flitted to the left and right, taunting him. Snowy dug his claws into the carpet. It took every ounce of self-control to stop himself from pouncing. He barely heard the click, click, click, which heralded the opening of the door. Through gritted teeth, he said, “Tell him, ‘Nice try,’ Bill, but he must think I’m an idiot. Does he expect me to catch it?” When Bill passed on the message, a malicious grin spread across Gladstone’s face. “Oh no, Number Two, I expect you to try.”

I'd like to believe I've been a remarkable influence on you,but perhaps I flatter myself...:)

Meanwhile, since you ask...

A few minutes later, General Jodl sent out the single-word signal, “Achse,” notifying German commanders throughout the Mediterranean theatre that it was time to disarm or destroy any and all Italian units which would not surrender. Plans to accomplish this promptly had been made well in advance. In just a few more minutes, Field Marshall Kesselring sent the signal, “Bring in the harvest,” notifying units under his command that this plan was be carried out at once.

* * *

Upon receiving Kesselring’s signal, units of the German 1st Parachute Division, stationed in Bari, dispersed to carry out the order. Those Italian units in the region which had not already disbanded, immediately surrendered to the 1st Parachute. However, General Nicola Bellomo[74], commander of the regional militia, assembled a task force composed of enlisted men who still wished to fight the Germans, as well as non-combat support personnel, sailors on leave, local police, and civilians. With this force, he attacked the small number of Germans left in Bari, and drove them out after a two-hour battle, in which he was wounded. The Italians held Bari until the British arrived on the 11th.

______

74 British MPs arrested Bellomo on January 28, 1944. On November 30th, 1941, he had allegedly ordered sentries to shoot two British officers, George Payne and Roy Cooke, who had escaped and been recaptured. At his court martial, on July 28, 1945, he was sentenced to death for having those two prisoners shot. He was executed by firing squad on September 11, 1945, at the British Military Prison on Nisida. In February, 1946, at a second court martial concerning the same incident, Captain Sommavilla, Commandant of the POW camp, was acquitted, because several of the sentries who did the actual shooting testified that Bellomo had given the order. Of course, neither he nor Sommavilla were in any position to contradict them.

In February, 1941, when Italian civilians were about to kill seven British parachutists they had captured, Bellomo arrived on the scene just in time to save their lives.

I adore how you have nailed the complex cat behavior! So you asked for a snippet? I am currently working with my editor on Shadow Over Avalon, a science fantasy due out on Halloween. This snippet will make it clear why the date is very appropriate. After this prologue, the book goes into the story proper.

Earthrise stretched shadows over the dusty, pockmarked ground, lending a faint touch of indigo to the airless surface. KiriUng’s claws unsheathed the moment the black disc-shape of an incoming vessel appeared on his monitor, slicing through the tranquility like a bug heading for a fresh corpse.

What had gone so wrong during the return flight to Moonbase? Commander TeKrull’s first report detailed a successful mission, despite resistance from the chosen targets. The Nestine patrol unit had captured an unbanded Terran without causing it physical damage.

TeKrull knew how important it was to question one of the free-ranging creatures, and for that they needed a healthy specimen, one capable of anticipating pain. KiriUng’s crest pumped into full erection for the third time since receiving the last infuriating message.He waited for the buzz of the comm-unit, willing it to spew out TeKrull’s voice. Nothing.Not a word since his second-in-command had sent out the urgent request for medical aid to meet the ship at docking bay. The captured Terran was hurt.This prey-beast must be both coherent and articulate, because KiriUng needed to see if the Terran would lie to him. If it did, he would know it had free will; crucial information for the safe farming of the Terran race on the planet. These creatures must not be immune to Nestine mind control.

The ship approached Moonbase much too fast, and yet TeKrull would not disobey protocol without good reason. Just how damaged was the captive?And how, in the name of all creation, had a group of Terrans managed to override their programming? They shouldn’t be able to see Nestine farmers, let alone attack them.

A cold claw of fear ripped down KiriUng’s back, standing his fur on end. He turned to his desk console, sitting down to punch out a series of commands for the bot drones to start cleaning the outside of Moonbase as soon as the ship cleared docking port. Dust eroded every moving part, andTeKrull knew better than to leave a coating of dust when the ship bore no cargo but the captive.

KiriUng ran his paw over the smooth leather surface of his favorite chair. So soft and always difficult to acquire, Terran skin was almost impossible to cure in large enough sheets. The Terran on that ship had better be able to communicate, or TeKrullwould suffer. Unable to settle, KiriUng returned to the window port to watch the incoming ship. He wanted answers, and as Queen’s Mate, he was responsible for the continuance of healthy food for the hive. Had he missed some genetic abnormality emerging in the Terran herd? If so, a hard culling must be done.

The ship deployed forward thrusters and angled up for a position over a landing platform out of his sight. KiriUng now contemplated the emerging blue planet, partially shrouded by clouds; so beautiful from space and yet ugly on the surface. The primitive, stench-filled dwellings of the Terrans marred the scenery, but worse, the vast quantity of bugs seemed to prefer the taste of Nestine over Terran. He didn’t envy TeKrull’s role as planetary governor, not compared to his own clean work-station on Moonbase. Gradually, his crest deflated because he didn’t want to confront his second-in-command with a threatening posture; that could wait. He picked up a soothing, intricately shaped crystal, enjoying the play of light on its many facets. Ironic that his most prized possession came from the first Terran a Nestine had ever eaten.